Ah, 1848—the year Europe erupted in revolutions, and Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels decided to add fuel to the fire by dropping one of the most influential political manifestos of all time. Published in London, The Communist Manifesto was a short but punchy call to arms, outlining the evils of capitalism and the inevitable rise of the working class. If capitalism was the bad guy twirling its mustache, Marx and Engels were the angry duo pointing fingers and yelling, "Your time is up!"

The manifesto wasn’t just a critique; it was a prophecy. Marx argued that history was a never-ending class struggle, with the wealthy elites exploiting the working class like a corporate CEO hoarding all the office snacks. He envisioned a world where workers would overthrow their oppressors, abolish private property, and establish a classless, utopian society. Whether you see that as a dream or a dystopian nightmare depends on how much you trust humanity with power.

Despite its fiery rhetoric, the manifesto didn’t spark immediate revolutions. The revolts of 1848 mostly fizzled out, and Marx spent much of his life in exile, penning lengthy critiques of capitalism while surviving off Engels’ generous financial support. However, the manifesto’s ideas simmered beneath the surface for decades, eventually shaping the political landscapes of the 20th century. Lenin, Mao, and Castro all took Marx's playbook and ran with it—though, let’s just say, the execution didn’t always match the vision.

Today, The Communist Manifesto remains required reading for anyone looking to understand the ideological battles of modern society. Whether you view Marx as a misunderstood prophet or the ultimate economic buzzkill, his work undeniably changed the world. And in an age where debates over wealth inequality rage on, his words still pack a punch—even if some people still aren’t sure what “means of production” actually means.

By 1965, Malcolm X had transformed from a fiery Nation of Islam spokesperson into a revolutionary thinker with a vision that went beyond race and religion. He had broken with the NOI, embraced Sunni Islam, and started to see the struggle for civil rights as part of a global fight against oppression. This shift made him even more dangerous—not just to white supremacists but to former allies who viewed his evolving ideology as a betrayal. On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City, gunned down in front of his own supporters.

His death wasn’t just a tragedy; it was a seismic event in the civil rights movement. Malcolm had spent years urging Black Americans to fight back—physically, intellectually, and economically—against systemic racism. He had called out America’s hypocrisy on democracy and justice, refusing to soften his message for white audiences. While Martin Luther King Jr. advocated nonviolence, Malcolm X spoke in a language of self-defense, making him both feared and respected.

The circumstances of his assassination remain controversial. Three men from the Nation of Islam were convicted, but doubts linger about the extent of government involvement. The FBI had long viewed Malcolm as a threat, keeping him under surveillance as part of its COINTELPRO operations aimed at neutralizing Black leaders. In 2021, two of the men convicted for his murder were exonerated, adding yet another layer to the mystery surrounding his killing.

Malcolm X’s legacy continues to evolve. Once dismissed as a radical, he is now widely recognized as a key figure in the fight for racial justice. His autobiography remains a cornerstone of Black literature, and his speeches still resonate with those who challenge systemic oppression. If history is any indicator, Malcolm X’s words will remain as relevant as ever, a stark reminder that revolutionaries are often more dangerous to the system when their ideas outlive them.

Not So Short Stuff 🛝
The idea that Napoleon Bonaparte was tiny is one of history’s biggest myths. In reality, he was about 5’6”—perfectly average for his time. So why does everyone think he was short? Two reasons: His recorded height (5’2”) was in French feet, which are longer than English feet. When converted properly, he was a normal height. Then theres British propaganda…Napoleon’s enemies loved mocking him, painting him as a tiny, angry dictator with a “Napoleon complex” before that was even a thing.

Chocolate Money 🍫
Forget gold—the Aztecs used cacao beans as actual currency. These little beans were so valuable that you could buy a turkey for 100, a fresh avocado for 3, and a tamale for just 1. Cacao was considered a gift from the gods, and only the elite drank xocoatl, a bitter chocolate drink mixed with chili and spices. Commoners? They mostly just used it to pay their bills. So next time you buy a chocolate bar, just remember—in Aztec times, you might have been eating your paycheck.

Mummy Passport 🇪🇬
Long before modern travel documents, Ancient Egyptian mummies had their own "passports"—inscriptions on their wrappings or sarcophagi detailing their names, titles, and hometowns. This wasn’t for border control—it was for safe passage into the afterlife. The Egyptians believed the gods needed to verify a soul’s identity before granting entry to eternity. Some even had written "letters of introduction" placed in their tombs, just in case. So while today’s travelers need a passport for customs, mummies needed one for the underworld.

Bucket War🪣
In 1325, the Italian city-states of Modena and Bologna went to war over… a stolen bucket. Yes, really. It all started when Modenese soldiers raided Bologna and swiped an oak bucket from a city well. Feeling disrespected, Bologna declared war to get it back. The two sides clashed at the Battle of Zappolino, where Modena won—and kept the bucket as a trophy. The best part? The bucket is still in Modena today. Meaning Bologna lost both the battle and their precious bucket.

If you enjoy this edition of Today In History be sure to send it to a friend and force them to sign up because that’s what good friends do. Until next time, stay curious, question everything, and keep uncovering the mysteries of the past. - Zach⛺️